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Discord and Harmony : Tales from the Nightingale Saga Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

What would you give up for love? How much would you sacrifice to protect all that you know? These five stories, set in the world of the Nightingale Saga, explore how far one is willing to go to protect and preserve a world out of Harmony. Here balance is lost as the Dark One seeks to return, threatening to enslave all but those that would give the ultimate sacrifice. Not all journeys end in happily-ever-after as Discord and Harmony clash over the lives of those that would determine the balance. Learn how the importance of stories shape the Songs of those that would preserve all that they love.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BN3L5CKQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Untold Stories (January 17, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 17, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2582 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

About the author

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Matthew Johnson
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Matthew Johnson is a graduate of the MFA Creative Writing program at University of Riverside Palm Desert. He has published stories in both fantasy and horror genre, Lazarus Rising a zombie play, and is currently working on two novels and another play. He resides in Riverside California with his wife, director and actress Wendi Johnson, and his three lovable puppies. You can find more about his works at www.professorgrimdark.com

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
9 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the narrative style and plots well-written. They describe the book as an engrossing collection of short stories with authentic feel. Readers appreciate the character design, with some characters being named after birds and non-human characters.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

6 customers mention "Narrative style"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative style. They find the plots succinct and well-planned out, making the story feel authentic. The stories stand on their own as short stories and add a dynamic feel. Readers also mention the writing style is amazing and flows well.

"...I misread that. Anyway, the author's writing style is simply amazing and it flows so well I read this book quickly enough despite not..." Read more

"...And above all, these stories were about love--as all the best are. I found the narrative and plots to be succinct and well planned out and executed...." Read more

"...writer does seem to be on more comfortable footing and the story feels more authentic as a result...." Read more

"...: Tales from the Nightingale Saga by Matthew Johnson is a beautifully written novel that has five stories making up one story as a whole...." Read more

3 customers mention "Character design"3 positive0 negative

Customers like the character design. They also appreciate that some characters are named after birds and non-human characters.

"...Adding to this was the fun fact that the characters were named after birds...." Read more

"...'s more to love because of representation of queer love and non-human characters...." Read more

"...I also like that certain characters were named after different birds. Not to mention how each story transition so smoothly to the next story...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
    Johnson explores the concept of love in this collection of short stories set in his Nightingale universe. An evil force, know as the Dark One looks to bring chaos and destruction to the world. Comprised of five short stories, "Discord and Harmony" revolves around various characters and their experiences with different types of love, from queer to platonic to familial, in face of a grave danger. Initially, I was worried about picking up this book because I'm not familiar with the original series, but after the first two stories, I began to pick up on the characters and I enjoyed putting together bits and pieces to better understand how everything functioned in this world. One of the concepts I especially enjoyed was that certain characters had magical abilities called the Song, and like the name indicates they would sing to use this power. Adding to this was the fun fact that the characters were named after birds. Having read these short stories, I'd love to pick up the original series for a better in depth understanding of the characters. I would recommend this book to fans of Johnson's series as well as readers who enjoy fantasy and short stories.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
    I was mistaken when I first bought this book. I thought it was a prequel, but it turned out to be standalone stories -- well, my bad! I misread that.

    Anyway, the author's writing style is simply amazing and it flows so well I read this book quickly enough despite not knowing the characters. The book is a collection of stories set in the Nightingale universe and you'll read about characters who explore the boundaries of love and loyalty, power and life. I think the worldbuilding is simply awesome here, including this magical ability characters have to sing as a 'weapon'. Also, there's more to love because of representation of queer love and non-human characters.

    Thanks to this book, I learned more about the Nightingale Saga and I look forward to reading the rest of the books!

    Full 5 stars from me.

    - Lia Mara Dospetti
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
    This was such a unique concept and a truly beautiful and enthralling read. Matthew Johnson has created a world so fresh and original that I fell deeply in fascination with it. Queer birds as main characters? Incredible. Discord and harmony as humans, creatures, and birds alike fight for harmony in their realm? Hooked.

    Initially, I was a bit hesitant about this book as it is 5 stories that take place within the world of the Nightingale saga, which I have not read--but it wasn't entirely necessary! These stood their own ground as short stories and added what I imagine to be a more dynamic feel to this already wondrous world.

    And above all, these stories were about love--as all the best are. I found the narrative and plots to be succinct and well planned out and executed. I really look forward to diving into the saga and then maybe revisiting these stories once I have a fuller picture of the world Johnson has created for us. Looking forward to what comes next!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
    Disclaimer: I have not read the author's other works set in the fictional world of the Nightingale Saga, and it is entirely possible that I might have missed some of the references and nuances.

    Discord and Harmony is comprised of four short stories and one longer, six-part story, all connected to a group of women who are able to harness supernatural forces through song. The "Singers" battle both earthly persecution as well as an apocalyptic threat posed by a satanic figure called Nazglum (yes, that's really the arch-villain's name). In the first segment, one of the Singers is on a dangerous mission, and ends up taking a young girl under her protection. The second tells the story of a different Singer, a highborn woman whose youthful foray into romance and court intrigue ended in tragedy and disgrace. The third story, set several years later, follows the survivor of a devastating battle against the Singers as he is stalked by a mysterious assailant, while the fourth and briefest offers a glimpse of the dangerous experiments the Singers conduct in their escalating war. The longest and by far the strongest story is the book's final one. After being orphaned and forced to live with an abusive uncle, a much put-upon farmgirl discovers that she can use the Song to influence the hearts and minds of other people. Compared to the previous stories, it is much more detailed and domestic in its focus, with hardly a mention of our friend Nazglum. Although the writing, especially the dialogue still does not flow especially well (one character, in a romantic exchange, states: "I have never had such an intense surge of raw emotions before"), the writer does seem to be on more comfortable footing and the story feels more authentic as a result.

    For the most part, this collection of short stories is neither particularly well-written or original. Clunky writing, rushed exposition, and stock fantasy tropes abound, and only a few characters stand out enough to grab the reader's attention. One thread running through many of the stories is the reader's changing perception of the Singers. Initially, they are presented as unquestionably heroic, but later stories imply that there are valid reasons people fear the forces they wield, and that they may have only limited control over these forces to begin with. I am not entirely sure that this was deliberate, but it would make for interesting exploration in any future stories. The final story in the collection also stands head and shoulders above the rest, and shows the most potential for improvement.
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2023
    Discord and Harmony: Tales from the Nightingale Saga by Matthew Johnson is a beautifully written novel that has five stories making up one story as a whole. I didn't think I was going to like this novel. But the more I read, the more that I kept wanting to read more of it. Matthew Johnson has done a beautiful job at creating a world and the concept of that world. I also like that certain characters were named after different birds. Not to mention how each story transition so smoothly to the next story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy novels and anthologies. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

Top reviews from other countries

  • Rebecca
    4.0 out of 5 stars A unique and fascinating read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2023
    I have never read anything like the work that Matthew Johnson has created in this book. I had not initially realised that it was a collection of five short stories, tied together by characters and settings and I am glad that I hadn't as I am not a fan of short stories usually. However I am so glad that I had picked this up as I was quickly absorbed into the most wonderfully created world of the Nightingale Saga.

    I did initially struggle to get into the style of prose used, and the characters took a while to embrace (I am not particularly into birds but I did learn a lot and loved it in the end!), so I would suggest that it is worth sticking with if you struggle. The amazing job the author has done to draw you into a world where the vital need to fight for harmony where there is none is tantamount.
  • Chevaughn Weston
    5.0 out of 5 stars Creative Collection
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 20, 2023
    Discord and Harmony : Tales from the Nightingale Saga was a wonderful collection of stories from the Nightingale universe.
    Each story it's own but interlaced through characters and the situations. The world building was fantastic and yet didn't pull from the story, giving us room to imagine. The common theme of each protagonist trying to find just a little love and harmony in a cruel discordant world is relatable to our own world along with themes of acceptance and trying to find a place of our own pulling you deeper into caring for each of them. The limits of what we will do for love are tested thoroughly and pull out some of the deepest emotions. From lost loves to simply accepting your own skin.
    Throughly enjoyable read that kept me turning to pages to hear the heartache and root for a deserved (although not always achieved) outcome.

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